Family of Inglewood student killed in Orland bus crash file suit against FedEx, bus company

FILE - In this Thursday, April, 10, 2014, file photo, massive flames engulf a tractor-trailer and a tour bus just after they collide on Interstate 5, near Orland, Calif. The mother of a 17-year-old honors student who was among 10 people killed in the fiery Northern California bus crash sued FedEx on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, alleging that its trucks have a history of catching fire. (AP Photo/Jeremy Lockett, File)

LOS ANGELES - The family of an Inglewood high school student who was one of 10 people killed in a crash between a tour bus and FedEx truck in Northern California filed a lawsuit today against the companies that operated the vehicles involved in the deadly wreck.

Ismael Jimenez, 18, died in the fiery April 10 wreck in Orland. He was one of dozens of Los Angeles-area students traveling in a charter bus to Humboldt State University for a campus tour.

The tour bus, operated by Silverado Stages, was being driven northbound on the Golden State (5) Freeway when it was struck head on by a southbound FedEx truck that veered off the freeway, across a wide median and into oncoming traffic.

Five students and five adults died in the wreck and ensuing fire.

FedEx has previously issued a statement extending condolences to “everyone affected by this tragic accident.”

“We remain focused on providing support to those affected and cooperating with the authorities as they conduct their investigation,” according to the company. “This is not the time for us to discuss potential litigation.”

Ismael Jimenez was praised in the weeks following the crash for helping fellow students out of the burning bus.

Marco Petruzzi, CEO of Green Dot Public Schools, said another Animo student on the trip “related to our staff how Ismael busted open a window at the front of the bus as it was filling with smoke and people were getting burned.”

“He started lifting kids out in an effort to save them,” Petruzzi said. “Ismael will be remembered as someone who forever affected the lives of young people he barely knew. He was indeed a hero.”